Printing telegraph receiver



June 7, 1932. T V 1,861,988

PRINTING TELEGRAPH RECEIVER Filed Nov. 8, 1950 INVENTOR. FPO/915797 7'//5. 21k: m-

5 ATTORNEY Patented June 7, 1932 UNITED TATES ROBERT TEVIS, OF HOBOKEN,NEW JERSEY PRINTING TELEGRAPH RECEIVER Application filed November 8,1930. Serial No. 484,335.

The present invention relates to printing telegraph receivers and hasfor an object to provide a simple selective apparatus therefor.

The invention is adapted for use with telegraph systems in which eachsignal is composed of a combination of impulses which do not vary inlength as in the Morse system. Heretofore it has been common practice insuch systems to use synchronous motors, one

at the transmitting station to control the transmission of the impulsesat definite time intervals, and the other at the receiving station fordistributing the impulses to a series of magnets controlling apermutation apparatus for the selection of the characters to be printed.in serious drawback to such systems lies in the fact that it isdifficult to main tain the motors at the two stations in perfectsynchronism and, owing to the high speed at which the signals are sent,slight variation in re ative speed of the motors will result in thetransmission of false signals. To lreep the motors in synchronismrequires constant servicing which involves a material item of expense.

Another disadvantage lies in the fact that such systems are inflexible,since they must always run at one speed. If set for a maximum speed totake care of maximum service, demands that the apparatus must run atthis speed even during periods when a much lowor speed wouldsuflice,-and as a result the wear and tear on the mechanism is always ata maximum.

It is an object of my invention to dispense with synchronous motors,thereby materially reducing, if not entirely overcoming, the serviceexpense.

Another object of the invention is to providea flexible system in whichthe rateat which the signals are sent may be varied at will, and thereceiving apparatus while normally running at a comparatively lowaverage rate, will automatically adjust itself to the speed of thetransmitter. To this end, in place of a motor-driven distributor at thereceiving statioml use, in connection with aset of electro-magnets foroperating a permutation mechanism, a set of distributing relays whichare so interconnected that in response to the successive line impulses,said magnets will be sequentially connected for operation. I am awarethat systems of distributing relays have been previously used, todispensewith synchronous motors, but heretofore such systems haveinvolved the employment of such a large number of relays, magnets andswitch contacts, that the apparatus was complicated and expensive andwas diiiicult to keep in order.

It is an object of my invention to overcome this difficulty by providingan apparatus in which the number of relays and switch contacts isreduced to a minimum.

Other objects of my invention will appear in the following descriptionof a preferred embodiment and thereafter the novelty and scope of theinvention will be pointed out in the claims.

The accompanying drawing is a diagrammatic representation of a printingtelegraph receiver embodying my improved selective apparatus, the actualprinting mech-v anism not being shown, as it forms no part of thepresent invention.

In general my improved receiving apparatus is adapted to respond tosignals each made up of a fixed number of electric impulses, saidimpulses being variable as to polarity and being arranged in differentcombinations to represent different characters.

For purposes of illustration, I have chosen an apparatus with whichfive-impulse signals are employed. Thirty-two different permutations arepossible with the five selective impulses, so that the apparatusillustrated has a capacity of thirty-two characters. However, theapparatus may very easily be adapted for six-impulse signals, therebydoubling Iii the number of different characters that may be taken careof. It will be understood therefore, that I do not limit myself to theparticular apparatus illustrated, but may employ the principleshereinafter more fully brought out, in connection with an apparatus of aCa pacity either smaller or greater than the one shown in the. diagram.

In the mainline are two relays, one of which is polarized so that itwill respond only to impulses of a certain polarity,say positiveimpulses. The other main line relay is neutral and will respond to eachimpulse whetlr er negative or positive. Both of the main line relayscontrol local power lines which may be fed from a battery, amotor-generator, or some other local power source. There is a series oflive selecting magnets which are sequentially switched into one of thelocal power lines so as to be operated by the polarized relay. Thesemagnets will therefore be operated only by positive impulses coming overthe main line but will be left in their normal positions by negativeimpulses. The switching of the magnets into the local power line iscontrolled by the neutral relay, through two sets of control relays, andthe switching actually takes place during intervals after the successiveimpulses. The control relays are polarized, each being provided with anactuating winding and a restoring winding. One set of control relayseffects the switching of the electro-magnets into the local power line,and the other set controls the successive operation of the relays in thefirst set.

Thus, step by step, the electro-magnets are connected sequentially intothe power line and this line is energized or not according to whetherthe line impulse passing through the main line polarized relay ispositive or neg ative. The last impulse of the signal causes theoperation of a printing relay by which the printing of the characterselected by the magnets is effected, and immediately thereafter meansare provided for restoring all the parts to their initial position.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawing, I show apair of main line wires 1 and 2 over which the signal impulses arereceived. If desired, a ground may be substituted for one of thesewires. A pair of relays 3 and 4 are connected across the lines either inparallel or preferably in series as shown. The relay 3 is polarized andwill respond to say positive line impulses. The relay 4 is neutral andwill respond to impulses of either positive or negative polarity. Theserelays control three local lines A, B and C which receive energy from abattery 5, or other source of electrical energy, one terminal of whichis grounded and to the other terminal of which is connected a batterymain 6. The armature 7 of the relay 3 serves as a main switch for thelocal power line A. A spring 10 holds the switch 7 normally clear of thecontact terminal 9. VVhenever the relay 3 is energized by a signalimpulse of positive polarity, the selective line A is powered by theclosing of the switch 7 against the contact 9.

The armature 12 of the neutral relay 4 is connected by a lead 13 to thebattery main 6. This armature serves as a two-way switch to connect thecontrol lines B and C alternately to the battery. Thus, in normalposition the armature or switch 12 is held by a spring l l in engagementwith the back-stop 15 which constitutes a contact terminal for thecontrol line C, while the front stop 16 forms a contact terminal for thecontrol line B. Normally, then, the secondary control line C isconnected to power, but whenever the relay 4 is energized by a signalimpulse coming over the main line, the switch 12 disconnects line C andconnects the primary line B to the battery.

The local power line A comprises a series of normally disconnectedsections indicated in the drawing by the reference numerals A A A, A andA". Each of these sections except the last is provided with a switch bywl ich it may be connected to the next adjacent section. These switchesare indicated in the d :awing at 20, 23, 26, and 29. A switch 20 ofsection A, when in normal position connects said section to a branchline 21 which runs through the energizing coil of an electro-niagnet- 22and thence to ground. he switch 23 normally connects section A to abranch line 24: running through an electromagnet 25 to ground.Similarly, the switch 26 normally connects section A by way of a branchline 27 through electro-maguet 28 to ground and switch 29 normallyconnects section A through branch line 30 and electromagnet 31 toground. The last section A.

permanently connected through the energizing coil of a magnet 32 toground. Each of the switches 20, 23. 26 and 29 may be operated to breakengagement with its branch line and connects its line section to thenext adjacent line section. Means are provided operating those switchessuccessively, er the respective impuls-tes of the signal. ill beexplained more fully here nafter. It will. he observed that theeloctro-magnet 22 is normally connected with line A and will heenergized by the first impulse of a signal. if said ii'npulse is of suchpolarity to a tuate the relay 3. Thereafter the switch 20 isthrown,disconnecting electro-magnet 22, but switching in the line section A sothat the electro-magnet 25 may be operated. during the second impulse ofthe signal, if said second impulse is of proper polarity. and so on.Thus. at each impulse of the signal. a diiferent clcctro-inagnet isconnected into the line A. to be operated if said line is powered byactuation of the relay 3.

he line B, which may he termed the pri mally connects the latter to abranch line 41 which runs through an actuating coil of a polarized relay42 to ground. The switch 43 normally connects section B to a bra ch line44 running through the actuating coil of the polarized relay 45 toground. The switch 46 normally connects the section B to abranch line 47running through the actuating coil of a polarized relay 48 to ground,and the switch 49 connects section B to a branch line 50 running throughthe actuating coil of the polarized relay 51 to ground. The last sectionB is permanently connected through the actuating coil of a relay 52 toground.

Like the switches of line A. the switches of line B are successivelyactuated after the respective impulses of a signal to break engagementwith their respective branch lines and make connection with the nextadjacent section of the line B. The switches of the line A are,therefore, mounted to operate with the corresponding switches of theline B. Thus. switches 20 and 40 consist of mutually insulated contactmembers mounted on the armature of a polarized relay 54. Similarly.switches 23 and 43 are mounted on the armature of a polarized relay 55,switches 26 and 46 on the armature of a polarized relay 56. and switches29 and 49 on the armature of a polarized relay 57.

The line C, which may be termed the secondary control line, comprises aseries of normally disconnected sections C C C C and 0, each of thesesect-ions except the last being provided with a switch by which it maybe connected to the next adjacent section. These switches are indicatedin the drawing at 60, 63. 66 and 69, and constitute the armatures of thepola-rized relays 42, 45. 48 and 51, respectively. The switch of sectionC in its normal position rests idle against a back-stop 61. The switch63 of section C normally connects the latter to abranch line 64runningthrough the actuating coil of the relay 54 to ground. Similarlyswitch 66 normally connects section C to a branch line 67 runningthrough the actuating coil of the relay 55 to ground, and switch 69 ofsection O normally connects the latter to a branch line 70 runningthrough the actuating coil of relay 56 to ground. The last section C ispermanently connected through switches in lines A and B. Although thesect-ion C is normally connected to the battery, no current flowstherethrough because the switch 60 is normally open.

The drawing shows the normal position of all of the switches. The firstsignal impulse by energizing the neutral relay 4 connects the B line topower and thereby act-uates relay 42. The current may be traced frombattery 5, line 6, lead 13, relay armature 12, section B switch 40,line41, actuating coil of relay 42, and through ground back to the battery.This throwsswitch 60, connecting sections C and C but no current flowsthrough the C lines at the moment because the main switch 12 has beendrawn away from the back-stop 15. As soon as the first impulse ceasesand the spring 14 draws the armature 12 back into engagement with theback-stop 15, current will flow from the battery through sections C andC and thence by way of switch 63, line 64 and actuating (3011 of relay-54 to ground. It will be understood that because the relays controlledby the lines B and C are polarized they will hold their armatures insaid position until restored by means which will be explained hereafter.As soon, therefore, as the relay 54 is actuated, which actuation takesplace in the interval between the first and second signal impulses, theswitches 20-and 40 will be thrown disconnect-- ing the branch lines 21and 41 and connecting.

45, 48 and 51 will be successively energized to set the switches oflineC so that during intervals between signal impulses the switches inlines A and B will be operated sequentially. In other words, currentflow ing through section B will connect sections C and C current flowingthrough section C I will connect sections B and B current flowingthrough the latter section will then add sect on C to the C line andcurrent then flowing through the latter will add section B to the Bline, etc. Thus alternate switching in of the line sections willcontinue under control of and in timed relation to the signal. mpulses.During the fifth signal impulse the switch 49 is thrown to connectsection B to the B line and thereby energizing the polarized relay 52.The armature 53 of this relay is normally connected to the main batteryline 6. The front stop 71 of this armature forms a terminal of a branchline 7 2 running through a neutral relay 58.

Thus, on the last impulse the relay 52 is-operated and this in turnoperates the relay 58. The latter, however, operates a moment after theelectro-magnet 32 because it is not connected to power until after therelay 52 has operated.

All of the polarized relays except the main line relay 53 are providedwith restoring coils and are connected in series in a restoring circuit75. This restoring circuit is adapted to be connected to the batterymain by operation of the relay 58.

The selecting n1agnets22, 25, 28, 31 and 32 are adapted to control anysuitable permutation apparatus or mechanism for controlling the printingof the characters in response to the signals received. The exact natureof this permutation mechanism forms no part of the present invention,since a wide variety of different arrangements could be controlled bythese selective magnets.

In the diagram I have shown a set of plates 103, there being one foreach magnet. Each plate is urged downward by a spring 104, but theplates are held in raised position by means of latches. To this end eachplate 103 is formed at its upper end with a lug 105 which engages theend of a latch 106. Each latch constitutes the armature of'one of theelectro-magnets, so that when one of said magnets is energized the latchwill be withdrawn from the lug 105, permitting the plate to slidedownward in response to the pull of its spring 104. As soon asanelectro-magnet is de-energized the armature 106 is swung outward by aspring 107 so as to be in position to snap past the lug 105 when theplate is raised, as will be explained presently. Each plate is providedwith a laterally projecting pin 108 adapted to be engaged by a lever109, one arm of which constitutes the armature of a restoring magnet110. The plates 103 are perforated with openings set at such relativepositions as to provide 32 different permutations, giving at eachsetting a single passage running completely through the entire system ofplates. Such a system of perforated plates could be used, as shown inthe drawing, in connection with a tracker board 112 of a pneumatictypewriter, to select particular typebars for operation in accordancewith the combinations provided by the plates 103. The plates 103 mayslide in contact one with another, or fixed spacer plates 113 may beprovided between them. A shutter 114 is interposed between the platesand the tracker bar, and this shutter is actuated by the armature 74 ofrelay 58, so that although the plates 103 may be set for a particularsignal while the signal impulses are being received, the actual printingwill not take place until the printing relay 58 is operated, on the lastimpulse of the signal.

Instead of passing air through the plates 103 to operate pneumaticslight may be passed through them to operate photo-electric cells forselective control of the printing mechanism. Again, toothed permutationbars may be operated by the electro-magnets in place of the plates 103,such as the bars 9a to 96. shown in Patent No. 1,229,201, or, again, theelectro-magnets may operate a series of switches such as the switches ofrelays 35 to 39 shown in Patent No. 982,274. Thus, the particularmechanism operated by the selective magnets may be widely varied, anddoes not form a part of the present invention.

The operation of this apparatus will be clearly understood. We shallassume, for example, that a signal is received consisting of a series ofimpulses arranged as follows:

Plus, plus, minus, plus, minus. The first signal impulse is positive,and will actuate both of the line relays 3 and 4. connecting lines A andB to the battery. Current flowing through line A will immediatelyactuate the electro-magnet 22 and thus will release the first of theplates 103, permitting it to drop until its pin 108 rests upon therestoring lever 109. At the same time, current flowing through the lineB will actuate the relay 42, throwing switch 60 to connect with thesection C Immediately after the impulse ceases both of the line relayswill return to normal under the influence of their springs 10 and 14,respectively. The armature of relay 4 will then power the C line,causing operation of relay 54 and throwing the switches 20 and 40 so asto connect with lines A and B respectively. I The neXt signal impulsebeing positive, will cause the operation of both line relays, andcurrent will flow through electromagnet 25, releasing the second of theplates 105, and at the same time current flowing through the Bline,which has now been extended to-include section B will operate relay 45to connect section G to the C line. During the interval following thesecond impulse. the C line will be powered and will operate relay 55 tothrow switches 23 and 43 so as to connect with lines A and Brespectively. The third signal impulse being negative will operate theneutral relay 4 only. Thus, although electro-magnet 28 is now connectedinto the A line it will not be energized and the plate 103 which itcontrols'will remain in raised position. Current flowing through the Bline which has now been extended to include section B will operate relay48 to add section C to the C line. so that in the interval betweenimpulses current flowing through the'C line will actuate relay 56 tothrow the switches 26 and 46 and connect sections A and B to the A and Blines, respectively. The fourth impulse being positive will actuate bothof the line relays and cause electroanagnet 31 to be actuated. releasingits plate 103. At the same time the B line being energized, will operatere lay 51 to throw the switch 69 and connect section C to the C line.During the fourth interval the relay 57 is actuated to throw switches 29and 49 so as to connect sections A and B to the A and B lines. The fifthand last impulse of the signal being negative, will not operate relay 3,and consequently the electro-magnet 32 will remain inactive. However,the neutral relay 4 will be actuated, and will cause current to flowthrough the B line, actuating relay 52, and the latter in turn willconnect the printing relay 58 to power, withdrawing the shutter, andpermitting the printing mechanism to operate. Immediately thereafter,the armature of relay 58 closes the restoring circuit 75, which not onlyenergizes the restoring relay 7 6 to raise all of the plates 105 tonormal position, but also passes current through all of the restoringwindings of the polarized relays 7 (except relay 3), returning thearmatures of all these relays to normal position. Thereby the parts areall restored to the positions shown in the drawmg.

While I have described a specific emboc iment of my invention, it willbe understood that this is to be taken as illustrative and notlimitative of the invention, and that I reserve the right to make suchchanges in form construction and arrangement or" parts as fall withinthe spirit and scope of the following claims.

I claim 1. In a printing telegraph apparatus for received signals eachcomposed of a plurality of impulses variable as to polarity, a mainrelay responsive only to signal impulses of a predetermined polarity, aneutral relay responsive to all signal impulses, a local power linecontrolled by said main relay, a plurality of electrically operableselective means, and means controlled by the neutral relay forconnecting said selective means sequentially to said line.

2. In a printing telegraph apparatus for receiving signals each composedof a pl'urality of impulses variable as to polarity, a polarized relayresponsive only to signal impulses Of a predetermined polarity, aneutral relay responsive to all signal impulses, a local power linecontrolled by the polarized relay, a plurality of electrically operableselective means, and means controlled by the neutral relay forconnecting said selective means sequentially to said line duringintervals between impulses.

3. In a printing telegraph apparatus for received signals each composedof a plurality of impulses variable as to polarity, a main relayresponsive only to signal impulses of a predetermined polarity, aneutral relay responsive to all signal impulses, a local power linecontrolled by said main relay, a plurality of electrically operableselective means, one of said selective means being normally connected tosaid line, and means controlled by the neutral relay for connecting theothers of the selective means sequentially to said power line insubstitution for the selective means normally connected thereto and insuccessive substitution one for another, such substitution taking placein the order in which the successive signal impulses are received.

4. In a printing telegraph apparatus for receiving signals each composedof a plurality of impulses variable as to polarity, a polarized relayresponsive only to signal impulses of a predetermined polarity, aneutral relay responsive to all signal impulses, a local power lineadapted to be energized at eachactuation of the polarized relay, aplurality of electrically operable selective means, a switch forconnecting each of said selective means into said power line, a pair ofcontrol circuits adapted to be energized alternately by the neutralrelay, and means actuated bysaid control circuits for operating saidswitches successively to effect sequential in dividual connection ofsaid selective means to said power line.

5. In a printing telegraph apparatus for receiving signals each composedof a plurality of impulses variable as'to polarity, a polarized relayresponsive to signal impulses of a predetermined polarity only, aneutral relay responsive to all signal impulses, a local power linecomprising a plurality of normally disconnected sections, a switch foreach section except the last and adapted when thrown from normalposition to connect its section to the next adjacent section, a seriesof electrically operable selective means, each switch in normal positionconnecting its section to one of said selective means, the last sectionbeing permanently connected to the last of the selective means, andmeans controlled by the neutral relay for successively throwing saidswitches in the order of and during intervals between impulses.

6. In av printing telegraph apparatus for 110 receiving signals eachcomposed of a plural ity of impulses variable as to polarity, apolarized relay responsive to signal impulses of a predeterminedpolarity only,,a neutral power line comprising a plurality of normallydisconnected sections, a switch for each section except the last, andadapted when thrown from normal position to connect its section to thenext adjacent section, a series of electrically operable selectivemeans, each switch in normal position connecting its section to one ofsaid selective means, thelast section being permanently connected to thelast of the selective means, a local polarized relay for; throwing eachswitch, and means controlled relay responsive to all signal impulses, alocal 7. In a printing telegraph apparatus for receiving signals eachcomposed of a plurality of impulses variable as to polarity, a polarizedrelay responsive to signal impulses of a predetermined polarity only, aneutral relay responsive to all signal impulses, a local power linecomprising a plurality of normally disconnected sections, a switch foreach section except the last and adapted when thrown from normalposition to connect its section to the next adjacent section, a seriesof electrically operable selective means, each switch in normal positionconnecting its section to one of said selective means, the last sectionbeing permanently connected to the last of the selective means, a localpolarized, relay for throwing each switch, means controlled by theneutral relay for operating the local polarized relays successively inthe order of and during the successive intervals between signalimpulses, and means controlled by operation of the last of said switchesfor restoring the local polarized relays to normal.

8. In a printing telegraph apparatus for receiving signals each composedof a plurality of impulses variable as to polarity, a polarized relayresponsive to signal impulses of a predetermined polarity only, aneutral relay responsive to all signal impulses, a local power linecomprising a plurality of normally disconnected sections, a switch foreach section except the last and adapted when thrown from normalposition to connect its section to the next adjacent section, a seriesof electrically operable selective means, each switch in normal positionconnecting its section to one of said selective means, the last sectionbeing permanently connected to the last of the selective means, a localpolarized relay for throwing each switch, means controlled by theneutral relay for operating the local polarized relays sucessively inthe order of and during the successive intervals between signalimpulses, a restoring circuit for all of the local polarized relays, andmeans for energizing the restoring circuit when the last impulse of thesignal has been received by the neutral relay.

9. In a printing telegraph apparatus for receiving signals each composedof a plurality of impulses Variable as to polarity, a main relayresponsive only to signal impulses of a certain polarity, a neutralrelay responsive to all signal impulses, a local power circuitcontrolled by the main relay, a primary control circuit adapted to beenergized at each operation of the neutral relay, a secondary controlcircuit adapted to be energized at each return of the neutral relay tonormal, a set of polarized relays controlled by each of the primary andsecondary circuits, means interconnecting thepolarized relays to effectalternate sequential connection thereof to the primary and secondarycircuits, a plurality of electro-magnets, and switches controlled by thepolarized relays of the secondary circuit for causing sequentlalconnection of the electro-magnets to the power clrcuit.

10. In a printing telegraph apparatus for receiving signals eachcomposed of a plurality of the neutral relay to normal, a set of polar-.v

ized relays controlled by each of the primary and secondary circuits,means interconnecting the polarized relays to effect alternatesequential connection thereof to the primary and secondary circuits, aplurality of electro-magnets, switches controlled by the polarizedrelays of the secondary circuit for causing sequential connection of theelectro-magnets to the power circuit, and means for restoring saidpolarized relays to normal position at the end of each signal.

11. In a printing telegraph apparatus for receiving signals eachcomposed of a plurality of impulses variable as to polarity, a mainrelay responsive only to signal impulses of a certain polarity, aneutral relay responsive to all signal impulses, a local power circuitcontrolled by the main relay, a primary control circuit adapted to beenergized at each operation of the neutral relay, a secondary controlcircuit adapted to be energized at each return of the neutral relay tonormal, a set of polarized relays controlled by each of the primary andsecondary circuits, means interconnecting the polarized relays to effectalternate sequential connection thereof to the primary and secondarycircuits, a plurality of electro-magnets, switches controlled by thepolarized relays of the secondarycircuit for causing sequentialconnection of the electromagnets to the power CllCUlt, selective means 1controlled by said magnets, a printing relay adapted to be actuated bythe primary control circuit'during the last impulse ofeach signal, andmeans controlled by the printing relay for restoring the selective meansto normal position.

12. In a printing telegraph apparatus for receiving signals eachcomposed of a plurality of impulses variable as to polarity, a mainrelay responsive only to signalimpulses of a certain polarity, a neutralrelay responsive to all signal-impulses, a local power circuitcontrolled by the main relay, a primary control circuit adapted to beenergized at each operation of the neutral relay, a secondary controlcircuit adapted to be energized at each return of the neutral relay tonormal, a set of polarized relays controlled by each of the primary andsecondary circuits, means interconnecting the polarized relays to effectalternate sequential connection thereof to the primary and secondarycircuits, a plurality of electro-magnets, switches controlled by thepolarized relays of the secondary circuit for causing sequentialconnection of the electro-magnets to the power circuit, selective meanscontrolled by saidmagnets, a printing relay adapted to be actuated bythe primary control circuit during the last impulse of each signal, andmeans controlled by the printing relay for restoring the selective meansand the polarized relays to normal position.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

ROBERT TEVIS.

